COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH

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Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology, Concentration in Community Mental Health

CIIS has trained MFT's since 1973 and graduates have had one of the highest pass rates on the MFT exam, with a 96% pass rate. Since 1973 the Master's in Counseling Program has responded to changes in the field. Community Mental Health evolved out of this trend in providing innovative educational opportunities and the changing needs in the field. In order to better meet the changing landscape of public mental health, CIIS was an early adapter of the CMH curriculum, and as such, a pioneer in developing master's level coursework and specialty training for those interested in careers in public mental health.

In the spirit of the Mental Health Services Act stakeholders in the public mental health system were invited to the table to help plan the needs of master's level counseling students. This included working with local public mental health; community-based organizations; consumers; community members; and service providers. Out of this work the CMH program developed the following program goals:

CMH will provide strong clinical training built on

Psychodynamics, Humanistic Mindfulness, and Family Systems Therapy

Trauma-informed therapies;

Recovery and resiliency models of treatment;

Social justice perspectives, and

Community psychology theory and praxis.

CMH trains students with a strong theoretical base to be proficient as licensed, independent mental health practitioners either as a licensed MFT or LPCC. These skills include:

Assessment, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment planning;

Outcomes Evaluation;

Cultural Humility;

Best Practices; and

Practice-Based Evidence.

The CMH program models itself on the public mental health model, providing opportunities for peer-based support and services; Wellness Recovery Action Planning for students; community meetings; and access to MHSA-based support services for students of color; LGBT students; consumers of public mental health services and their family members; and veterans. We welcome a diverse cohort of students to come together to learn to become licensed therapists, clinical case managers, change agents within the mental health system. Our trainees and graduate students are consistently sought after in the public mental health system and in community organizations. We welcome you to become part of the next generation of students trained and ready for system transformation.

Statement of Diversity:

Diversity and the recognition of multiple perspectives is a core value of the Community Mental Health Program at CIIS. We celebrate and embrace these diverse perspectives as a source of strength, creativity and relevance in our field. Our differences and how we each live those differences - be they of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, socioeconomic status, abilities, experiences and more - enhance our ability to achieve the Institute's core mission to embody spirit, intellect, and wisdom in service to individuals, communities and the Earth. We do this by framing our studies in the context of social justice, liberation psychologies and inclduing, respecting, and valuing the voices of the communities we serve in our students, staff, faculty and where we provide service.